Andy Russell, NOT Wanted by the Police

Andy Russell #5

by David A. Adler, Leanne Franson (Illustrator)

Andy Russell’s neighbors have asked nine-year-old Andy and his best friend, Tamika, to watch their house while they are away. But when Andy sees unexplained lights and movements, he becomes convinced there is an intruder next door! The problem is . . . whenever he tries to show his family and the police what he sees, everything is back to normal. Now Detective Andy Russell must prove that he's not just a pest--that there is something suspicious going on!

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Mystery

118 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Francesca Bertucci]

I think this book would be appropriate for 2nd grade and up. Its a pretty easy read and was very informative because this can happen any time. It was about a little boy whos neighbors were out of town and he was watching over their house. He saw a light on that wasnt on before they left and other signs of people living in the house. He tries to reach out to his bestfriend, his parents, and eventually the police but they do not believe him at first. Finally he does his own investigating and discovers someone really did break into the neighbors house and everyone finally believes him. I think that this book is a great message for children because even if people dont believe you doesnt mean its not happening. I think this will teach kids to stand up no matter what and go with their instinct and keep pushing for people to believe them, especially if its something really important.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very nicely done middle-grade blend of mystery and realistic fiction. It is nice to see David Adler finally add some diversity to his books. I was disappointed, however, that Tamika is depicted as a homeless, more or less parentless child. We need more families - not just kids - of color in children's books!

[Gabriela · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Cana]

Mommy says: at 8.5yo, she is not interested in this book yet.

[Keem]

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